A new narrative for sustainability: Exploring biogas plants as ‘first movers’ in raising energy awareness

Abstract

It is not only worth talking about the chances of survival in the fight against emerging environmental and socio-economic threats, but it is necessary to use all possible means to influence public awareness. It is awareness that shapes our attitudes and literacy. The core of these tools is cross-sectoral place-based education. This raises the question of the role of new energy actors in the education process. As ‘first movers’, they have enormous power in the local community. Are they therefore merely energy producers, or perhaps, using their position, are they actively involved in creating local energy behaviours? A combination of social research methods including qualitative studies helped respond to this question. As the study shows, an opportunity for effective education is contextualisation, embedding educators in the local social structure and including first movers – energy producers – in this process. Biogas entrepreneurs transpose the knowledge of renewable energy – a globally known issue – to the local level. The provision of comprehensive education requires institutional support focused on building partnerships between policy makers, teachers and practitioners, enabling not only trans-sectoral contact but also the exchange of experience.

From adoration to damnation? Exploring role of media in shaping low-carbon economy in times of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The subject of energy transition, including the abandonment of fossil fuels in favour of RES, has been one of the most emotional issues in Poland for years (Chodkowska-Miszczuk, 2021 ; Chodkowska-Miszczuk et al, 2021a ; Foltyn-Zarychta et al, 2021 ; Perlaviciute et al, 2018 ; Pietrzak et al, 2021 ; Wagner et al, 2016 ). Carelessly communicated information on this subject can lead to conflicts or deepen social divisions.…”

“…The websites widely comment on unpopular topics related to the current energy policy of the country, including RES auctions or the activity of Polish Waters (national water management authority) in the RES sector, i.e., its attempted market entry. The web portals also present the topic of biofuels and biogas, still neglected by Poland (Chodkowska-Miszczuk, 2021 ) Similarly to the press, the Internet highlights the issue of the coronavirus pandemic but goes further in stating that the pandemic may stop, and certainly harm, the energy transition of the Polish economy (Zobeidi et al, 2021 ).…”

To know is to accept. Uncovering the perception of renewables as a behavioural trigger of rural energy transition

“…In this context, gender and the division of traditional social functions should be considered. Concern for energy security is more the domain of men than women, which is related to a different awareness of this issue (Chodkowska-Miszczuk, 2022). General declarations of knowledge of renewable energy are not borne out by a more detailed and specialised range of knowledge.…”

The Anthropocene and ecological awareness in Poland: The post-socialist view

“…The features of energy awareness of post-socialist society justify the importance of the local context and indicate the role of the immediate environment in shaping the attitudes and behaviour of local communities. An opportunity here is therefore to promote place-based education (Chodkowska-Miszczuk, 2021; Measham, 2007) involving heterogeneous local actors in the education process (Rapaport et al, 2018). This need is particularly apparent in rural areas, as rural dwellers, including Polish farmers, have the lowest adaptive capacity in Europe (Vanschoenwinkel et al, 2016).…”

“…In turn, particularly important for rural communities, characterised by strong neighbourhood and family interactions, is the spread of non-formal place-based education embedded in the local context and building on local networks. However, we should remember that this type of education should reach everyone, taking into account gender and socio-cultural factors (Chodkowska-Miszczuk, 2021). This should be coupled by the actions of a local leader, who would bring together the stakeholders of change: inhabitants, local officials, entrepreneurs, etc.…”